Head suspension having tabs and force isolation welds for gram load reduction during swaging

Abstract

A suspension assembly for a magnetic head reduces isolation forces caused by swaging the suspension to an actuator arm of a disk drive. The suspension is formed with a first end, and a second end having an inner periphery which defines an opening. Tabs extend from the inner periphery into the opening. A base plate with a cylindrical hub is welded to the tabs and the hub extends through the inner periphery. Multiple isolation welds formed on the suspension cooperate with the tabs to isolate forces and limit force propagation when the hub is swaged to the actuator arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A magnetic head assembly comprising: a head suspension having a first end and a second end, the second end having an inner periphery defining an opening;   a magnetic head attached to the first end for transducing data signals;   a base plate having a hub, the base plate being welded to the second end, wherein the hub extends through the inner periphery;   a plurality of tabs attached to the inner periphery, said tabs extending into said opening, said tabs disposed uniformly and evenly spaced around said hub;   a multiplicity of force isolation elements disposed uniformly and spaced evenly adjacent to said hub to isolate forces imposed on the suspension by the base plate;   whereby said tabs and force isolation elements cooperate to isolate forces and thereby limit force propagation during swaging of said suspension to an actuator arm.   
     
     
       2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said strip of force isolation welds attach the base plate to the second end, and wherein the welds align radially from the hub. 
     
     
       3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tabs are parabolic in shape. 
     
     
       4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tabs are pointed. 
     
     
       5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tabs interconnect. 
     
     
       6. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the interconnected tabs form arcuate openings. 
     
     
       7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inner periphery has four corners, and wherein one tab extends from each of the corners. 
     
     
       8. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inner periphery has four sides, and wherein one tab extends from each of the sides. 
     
     
       9. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tabs are uniform in length. 
     
     
       10. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tabs vary in length. 
     
     
       11. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inner periphery has four sides and four corners, and tabs extending from each of the sides and each of the corners, and wherein the tabs extending from the corners are longer than the tabs extending from the sides. 
     
     
       12. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inner periphery is generally rectangular in shape. 
     
     
       13. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the force isolation elements include a strip of isolation welds. 
     
     
       14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein the strip of welds extends linearly across the suspension. 
     
     
       15. An assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein the suspension includes a bend radius region, and said strip of welds extends across the suspension between the bend radius region and the inner periphery. 
     
     
       16. An assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said strip of isolation welds encircle the hub to weld the base plate to the second end.